Jeep Thrills in Nearby Canyon

Jeep tours through Bulldog Canyon between the Goldfield and Superstition mountains are a great introduction to Arizona's historic back roads. Tours reveal old mining countryside

By Margie Anderson
Special for the Republic

Once you're out in Bulldog Canyon bouncing over rocky inclines and climbing steep ridges, it's hard to believe that just over the hill, almost 3 million people are going about their business. Ride through the canyon and you're caught between the Goldfield and Superstition mountains, an area full of history and mysteries.

Enormous coveys of quail make their homes here, as do javelina, deer, and hundreds of birds and smaller mammals. In spite of the lengthy drought, springs continue to provide water year-round. Ruins of old mining shacks dot the landscape here, and scattered along the hillsides are piles of stones put there by Spaniards to mark their mining claims.

It's easy to imagine the original native people making their way along these trails. The land itself hasn't changed much, except for the old mines that dot the hills. After the Spaniards came and went, Mexican prospectors came to the Goldfield Mountains. Remnants of their efforts were discovered by the Americans who came here later looking for gold.

It's rugged country, and the vehicles you come across are mostly Jeeps, ATVs, or dirt bikes. Nearly everyone is friendly in the back country, and it's rare to pass someone without exchanging at least a wave and a smile.

This is such a popular area for four-wheeling that the Tonto National Forest instituted a permit system several years ago. Locked gates bar entry, and the combination you receive with your permit works for six months before the lock is changed.

If you want to get a taste of the canyon without having to acquire a permit or an off road vehicle, apache Trail Tours will take you on a two-hour ride through Bulldog Canyon. Their Jeeps will carry up to eight passengers, and with the top off everyone has a perfect view and ideal photo opportunities.

Our guide, Butch, kept up a running commentary about the area and its history, and even clued us in on the geology that created this area. He pointed out a large, circular depression that he called a "glory hole."

"Those glory holes are where prospectors saw some quartz or something, and dug a small hole to check for veins of ore," Butch explained.

Butch is a retired detective from Chicago who has been in Arizona for years and spends all his spare time exploring back roads on foot and on an ATV. He has fascinating stories about the past residents of this area, and he can also tell you stories about finding and exploring everything from old mine shafts and graves to abandoned mansions on hilltops in the middle of nowhere.

On our little journey we examined stonewalled ruins near a spring. This spring was lined with stone or concrete, and it was brimming with cool water. Butch said that no matter how bad the drought has been, he's never seen this spring go dry. He's tried to determine the depth, but so far it's still a mystery.

This is hilly area with enormous boulders that tower as high as the buildings down town. With the yellow-green lichen growing on them, they look like something from another world. Every time you crest a ridge you're treated to a new vista, and you get some of the best views of the Superstitions, Weaver's Needle and Four Peaks that you've ever seen.

Apache Trail Tours owner Jodi Akers is just as passionate about the area as her guides are. She started the company 12 years ago and has expanded it into a full-service adventure operation. In addition to the two-hour Bulldog Canyon tour, she has full-and half-day Apache Trail adventures, hiking treks in the Superstition Wilderness, Western "Steak-Outs" and custom group events. Her headquarters is in Goldfield, right across the road from the Superstitions.

Jodi's newest offering is a team-building adventure where participants geo-cache for gold. She and her guides have spent hours hiking the back country and marking waypoints for the teams to follow. Clues and hidden objects guide the teams toward their final goal.

If you're a recent arrival to Arizona, or even an old timer with a yen to explore in good company, apache Trail Tours is a great way to be introduced to Arizona's back roads and history. Once you've had a taste of what's out there, you'll be on your way to being a real outdoors Arizonan.

IF YOU GO
Bulldog Canyon

Bulldog Canyon is part of the Tonto national Forest. To get a permit to enter, visit the Mesa office at 5140 E. Ingram St. in Mesa. The phone number is (480) 610-3300. Apply in person to get the permit, and have photo ID and license of VIN number of the vehicle(s) for which you want the permits. Permits are free and are good for six (6) months.

According to the forest Service representative in the Mesa office, hunting is allowed in Bulldog Canyon with a valid license and permit tag (if necessary). Because it is considered a congested area, target shooting is prohibited.

Apache Trail Tours' Jeeps are all stocked with plenty of water, first-aid, and survival gear. Those venturing alone should go well prepared .

Apache Trail Tours
P.O. Box 6146
Apache Junction, AZ 85278
(480) 982-7661
www.apachetrailtours.com
email: jeeptour@aol.com